Some friends and I were debating this a few months back, so we took a long Friday lunch and had a "sub-off" contest. The four of us split up and got Italian subs from Mangialardo's on Pennsylvania Ave. SE., Litteri's over at the DC Market at 4th and Florida NE., Booeymonger's in Georgetown, and the Italian Store off Spout Run in Arlington - cut them in to quarters and had a blind taste-testing. As ever, we ended up with four different opinions on which were the best and worst

My favorite was Mangialardo's "G-Man", followed closely by a tie between Litteri's and the Italian Store, with Booey's distant last. Unfortunately Mangialardo's is only open during the week. The argument continues, though it has morphed into whether they are called Italians, Heros, Subs, Grinders, Hoagies, etc...

Subs and hoagies, phillie steaks... all good, but this thread has got me longing for a hot stromboli sandwich... I haven't seen one on a menu in years, the last one I had was at Pizza King, 24 and poplar st, Terre Haute, In....

Elsie Smith wrote:any time you're on the road, check out this website and findthe weirdest mom-and-pop places to eat. http://www.hollyeats.com

Awesome site, Elsie, thanks!

While it may strike some as heresy -- along the lines of recommending McDonald's for fine hamburgers -- I like hitting Subways on the road. Coming back from New England a couple of weeks ago, I stopped at one in South Williamsport, PA for dinner. They had an Italian sausage sub that was incredible. Really good sausage, onions, provolone, peppers (which I skipped), and some Parmesan on top. It was honestly one of the best subs I've had anywhere. When I asked about it at a Subway here, they had never heard of it. It seems like maybe it was on trial run up there and had not gotten to other stores yet. I hope it does and retains its goodness